TideSports.com staff
Q: There has been a lot of attention on the matchup between Amari Cooper and VH3. How do you expect they will handle Cooper in this game? Will Hargreaves follow him in any position on the field? Who else can step in and help cover Cooper?
Now this is going to be a fun matchup. When Cooper lines up on the outside, expect Vernon Hargreaves III to handle the sole responsibility. If 'Bama sticks him in the slot like it sometimes does, nickel back Marcus Maye and even Hargreaves could match up with Cooper there. That's where things could get tricky for Florida - Cooper would have a heyday in the slot especially against Maye, who was inconsistent in coverage during the Kentucky contest. If Florida decides to shift VH3 to the slot on these plays, 'Bama could exploit freshman cornerback Jalen Tabor with its other receivers if he's thrown into the game on the outside.
But watching Hargreaves, one of the best cover corners in the country, follow Cooper around the field Saturday will be an enjoyable battle to watch. Comparing body types, Hargreaves (5-foot-11, 192 pounds) isn't too far off from Cooper (6-foot-1, 210 pounds). The sophomore corner's man coverage abilities will be tested all night against one of the game's best. How Hargreaves defends Cooper on short passes is key, because if Cooper can break free on the sideline, he could wreak havoc on a questionable group of Gators safeties.
Q: Where can you see Florida having a favorable matchup against Alabama?
If Jeff Driskel can release the ball quickly on short passes when facing pressure and make some good reads, Florida's wide receivers could have a productive afternoon against the Alabama secondary. The Tide's passing defense ranks 54th in the nation allowing 220 yards per game, 14 spots behind Florida (207 per game). The Alabama secondary hasn't recorded an interception yet this season, and that's against some terrible teams in FAU and Southern Mississippi.
Robinson, who's made a living off gaining yards after the catch, could provide some matchup problems for 'Bama corners but will be challenged by stud safety Landon Collins on the backend. During his 15-catch, 216-yard, two-touchdown performance versus Kentucky, Robinson gained more than half of his yards after the catch. It may be harder for Robinson to break free in space this time around, but he can definitely win a lot of battles in short yardage situations against Alabama's corners.
But if Florida really wants a chance at winning and not just making it close, one or two more receivers aside from Robinson are really going to need to step it up. Driskel had an array of options against Eastern Michigan, but everyone outside of Robinson vanished versus Kentucky. After Robinson, the next-best receiver was sparingly used tight end Tevin Westbrook for two catches, 25 yards and score. Against the Wildcats, Latroy Pittman and Clay Burton had some ugly drops early when they bobbled open passes. Those mistakes won't fly against the Tide.
Q: What should Florida be concerned about most vs. Alabama?
Florida's offensive line will have to perform lights out if the team wants any chance of beating Alabama, but the unit looks outmatched against the Crimson Tide's stacked defensive front. Center Max Garcia is the best lineman of this group, and he'll be tasked with containing a monster at nose guard in A'Shawn Robinson. Florida's rotating trio of guards, Trenton Brown, Tyler Moore and Trip Thurman, performed well against Kentucky, but they still don't compare talent-wise to any of Alabama's starting defensive linemen. Chaz Green, a natural fit at right tackle, is playing on the left side with D.J. Humphries (ankle) not available. That leaves Roderick Johnson, a redshirt freshman, playing at left tackle in his second career start. Johnson showcased some potential in the Kentucky game, but he missed a few assignments when Kentucky sent the blitz.
The Gators' linemen have performed well in run protection through two games, but it's doubtful they'll maintain that same success against Alabama, which has the best rushing defense in the country after holding teams to 47 yards on the ground per game in three contests. If the Florida offense doesn't find success in the running game on early downs, Driskel will be pressured to make accurate throws on 3rd and long. He was 4-of-12 passing on third down against the Wildcats and 2-of-5 on third downs with more than 5 yards to earn. If the Tide's defensive ends break free on the edges during these downs, it's going to be a long Saturday afternoon for Driskel and this Florida offensive line, which has been inconsistent with communication in pass protection.
Q: Outside of Driskel, which player needs to have a huge game for UF to pull out a win?
Florida needs its running backs, Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor, to take advantage of any holes the UF offensive line is lucky enough to create for them. The Gators need to establish the run early versus the Crimson Tide, and how these two perform Saturday is crucial.
Two games into the season, both tailbacks have been impressive and are averaging a combined 176.5 yards per contest. Jones has really opened eyes, especially following the Kentucky win when he rushed for 156 yards and the game-sealing score on a whooping 29 carries. The 6-foot-4 junior has looked magnificent coming back from a torn meniscus that forced him to miss the final seven games of 2013 and has been a handful to cover on power runs. Taylor makes his living on his strong field vision and cutting, but it may be harder than usual for him to dance around the line scrimmage and break free against the Tide's defenders.
Q: How do you see this game playing out?
Early on it'll be a close, low-scoring contest, but I think 'Bama's passing game will eventually find its groove before the end of the first half and take advantage of the Gators' erratic secondary for some big gains. I'm expecting it to be an uphill battle from there on for Florida. I don't believe the Gators will make enough big plays in space or convert on enough deep passes in the second half to shake the Tide.
My final score prediction will have to be Alabama 27, Florida 10.
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1682801#sthash.FbgT0xRk.dpuf
Q: There has been a lot of attention on the matchup between Amari Cooper and VH3. How do you expect they will handle Cooper in this game? Will Hargreaves follow him in any position on the field? Who else can step in and help cover Cooper?
Now this is going to be a fun matchup. When Cooper lines up on the outside, expect Vernon Hargreaves III to handle the sole responsibility. If 'Bama sticks him in the slot like it sometimes does, nickel back Marcus Maye and even Hargreaves could match up with Cooper there. That's where things could get tricky for Florida - Cooper would have a heyday in the slot especially against Maye, who was inconsistent in coverage during the Kentucky contest. If Florida decides to shift VH3 to the slot on these plays, 'Bama could exploit freshman cornerback Jalen Tabor with its other receivers if he's thrown into the game on the outside.
But watching Hargreaves, one of the best cover corners in the country, follow Cooper around the field Saturday will be an enjoyable battle to watch. Comparing body types, Hargreaves (5-foot-11, 192 pounds) isn't too far off from Cooper (6-foot-1, 210 pounds). The sophomore corner's man coverage abilities will be tested all night against one of the game's best. How Hargreaves defends Cooper on short passes is key, because if Cooper can break free on the sideline, he could wreak havoc on a questionable group of Gators safeties.
Q: Where can you see Florida having a favorable matchup against Alabama?
If Jeff Driskel can release the ball quickly on short passes when facing pressure and make some good reads, Florida's wide receivers could have a productive afternoon against the Alabama secondary. The Tide's passing defense ranks 54th in the nation allowing 220 yards per game, 14 spots behind Florida (207 per game). The Alabama secondary hasn't recorded an interception yet this season, and that's against some terrible teams in FAU and Southern Mississippi.
Robinson, who's made a living off gaining yards after the catch, could provide some matchup problems for 'Bama corners but will be challenged by stud safety Landon Collins on the backend. During his 15-catch, 216-yard, two-touchdown performance versus Kentucky, Robinson gained more than half of his yards after the catch. It may be harder for Robinson to break free in space this time around, but he can definitely win a lot of battles in short yardage situations against Alabama's corners.
But if Florida really wants a chance at winning and not just making it close, one or two more receivers aside from Robinson are really going to need to step it up. Driskel had an array of options against Eastern Michigan, but everyone outside of Robinson vanished versus Kentucky. After Robinson, the next-best receiver was sparingly used tight end Tevin Westbrook for two catches, 25 yards and score. Against the Wildcats, Latroy Pittman and Clay Burton had some ugly drops early when they bobbled open passes. Those mistakes won't fly against the Tide.
Q: What should Florida be concerned about most vs. Alabama?
Florida's offensive line will have to perform lights out if the team wants any chance of beating Alabama, but the unit looks outmatched against the Crimson Tide's stacked defensive front. Center Max Garcia is the best lineman of this group, and he'll be tasked with containing a monster at nose guard in A'Shawn Robinson. Florida's rotating trio of guards, Trenton Brown, Tyler Moore and Trip Thurman, performed well against Kentucky, but they still don't compare talent-wise to any of Alabama's starting defensive linemen. Chaz Green, a natural fit at right tackle, is playing on the left side with D.J. Humphries (ankle) not available. That leaves Roderick Johnson, a redshirt freshman, playing at left tackle in his second career start. Johnson showcased some potential in the Kentucky game, but he missed a few assignments when Kentucky sent the blitz.
The Gators' linemen have performed well in run protection through two games, but it's doubtful they'll maintain that same success against Alabama, which has the best rushing defense in the country after holding teams to 47 yards on the ground per game in three contests. If the Florida offense doesn't find success in the running game on early downs, Driskel will be pressured to make accurate throws on 3rd and long. He was 4-of-12 passing on third down against the Wildcats and 2-of-5 on third downs with more than 5 yards to earn. If the Tide's defensive ends break free on the edges during these downs, it's going to be a long Saturday afternoon for Driskel and this Florida offensive line, which has been inconsistent with communication in pass protection.
Q: Outside of Driskel, which player needs to have a huge game for UF to pull out a win?
Florida needs its running backs, Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor, to take advantage of any holes the UF offensive line is lucky enough to create for them. The Gators need to establish the run early versus the Crimson Tide, and how these two perform Saturday is crucial.
Two games into the season, both tailbacks have been impressive and are averaging a combined 176.5 yards per contest. Jones has really opened eyes, especially following the Kentucky win when he rushed for 156 yards and the game-sealing score on a whooping 29 carries. The 6-foot-4 junior has looked magnificent coming back from a torn meniscus that forced him to miss the final seven games of 2013 and has been a handful to cover on power runs. Taylor makes his living on his strong field vision and cutting, but it may be harder than usual for him to dance around the line scrimmage and break free against the Tide's defenders.
Q: How do you see this game playing out?
Early on it'll be a close, low-scoring contest, but I think 'Bama's passing game will eventually find its groove before the end of the first half and take advantage of the Gators' erratic secondary for some big gains. I'm expecting it to be an uphill battle from there on for Florida. I don't believe the Gators will make enough big plays in space or convert on enough deep passes in the second half to shake the Tide.
My final score prediction will have to be Alabama 27, Florida 10.
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1682801#sthash.FbgT0xRk.dpuf
